Review: Seeland – Tomorrow Today

Since Seeland formed in 2004, it’s taken a while for Tim Felton and Billy Bainbridge to release their first album together. Felton was chiefly known as a member of Broadcast whlst Bainbridge can point to his experience with fellow Birmingham act Plone on his CV. ‘Tomorrow Today’ reveals their shared love of the exponents of vintage electronica such as Joe Meek and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Kraftwerk-style instrumental breaks intermingle with deep vocals for sterling opener ‘Burning Pages’. Lighter pop songs such as ‘Hang On Lucifer’ and ‘Colour Dream’ also impress and the mood on these songs is optimistic with frequent splashes of colour, which reminded me of The Superimposers in their execution. Yet there’s a lot more going on here beneath the summery surface.

The naggingly infectious ‘Captured’ recalls both 60’s beat groups and jangly indie guitar pop from twenty years later, ‘Static Object’ glides on metronomic beats whilst even the most experimental offering, ‘Library’ – consisting of a harpsichord tune and all kinds of sound affects – is unerringly melodic. Similarly, it would take a hard heart not to be swayed by the romantic tones of ‘Station Sky’ and the enigmatic ‘Call The Incredible’ – formerly a B-side – is the unheralded gem amongst a treasure chest of jewels.

Undoubtedly Seeland can be classed as a retro-futurist act alongside the likes of Stereolab but, ultimtately, ‘Tomorrow Today’ is a pop album and a very good one at that. In fact it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard this year, regardless of its genre.